RaboDirect PRO12 Is Launched In Dublin

The RaboDirect PRO12, rugby's premier professional club competition in Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales, was today formally launched at a press conference in Dublin's Conrad Hotel.

Players and coaches from all 12 participating teams were joined by rugby legend Andy Irvine, Chairman of RaboDirect PRO12, Roel van Veggel, General Manager of RaboDirect in Ireland, Gert Bouwman, Global Head of Rabobank International Direct Banking, and John Feehan, Chief Executive of RaboDirect PRO12.

They formally launched the new RaboDirect PRO12 by unveiling the new competition trophy and welcoming the new title sponsors, RaboDirect.

Speaking at the launch, John Feehan said: "We are delighted to formally welcome RaboDirect as our new title sponsors alongside our new brand, the PRO12.

"The PRO12 is clearly more than a league, as it also involves play-off semi-finals and a showpiece final, and as such we needed a name that encapsulates both the structure and nature of the competition, more in keeping with the extraordinary growth it has experienced over the last five years.

"We are thrilled to secure the support of an international business with the global reputation of the Rabobank Group as this will raise the profile of the RaboDirect PRO12 and enhance the investment in the competition.

"We look forward to working with Roel and his team in RaboDirect to further develop and grow the RaboDirect PRO12 competition for many years to come."

Roel van Veggel from RaboDirect added: "We're absolutely delighted to be embarking on this high profile sponsorship. Rabobank Group, throughout its 100 year history, has always sought to put down firm roots in the communities where it operates.

"At RaboDirect, the online banking arm of Rabobank - now six years in Ireland, we believe that our values of passion, honesty, commitment and responsibility echo the values of this professional competition and the game of rugby union itself and so we're very confident that we've achieved an exceptional fit in securing this sponsorship.

"We're very excited about getting involved in rugby union, a sport that ignites so much passion not only in Ireland but in communities in Italy, Scotland, Wales and around the world.

"But this isn't our first foray into rugby by any means. Last week we welcomed the RaboDirect Melbourne Rebels, a new team that we sponsor in the Super 15, to Dublin and they are hoping to progress further in that competition next season."

Rabobank's Gert Bouwman said: "Rabobank Group's expertise in executing sponsorships globally will allow RaboDirect to take this competition to even greater heights.

"We're looking forward to generating more enthusiasm for the competition, connecting with an even larger audience of people through their love of rugby, strengthening our ties with local communities and demonstrating RaboDirect's firm commitment to our growing number of customers, here in Ireland.

"We also look forward to using the possibilities to enhance our Rabobank brand in Italy and the UK were we have substantial corporate banking franchises."

The new RaboDirect PRO12 trophy, which is 61 cms high and with 8.3 kilos of sterling silver used in its making, was unveiled for the first time.

Andy Irvine commented that he was particularly glad to see the unique contemporary design of the new trophy as it will be clearly identifiable as 'the' trophy in Celtic and Italian rugby. It will go 'on tour' to supporters through the 12 teams and around the four countries.

He said: "Our new partnership with RaboDirect marks the start of another big step forward in the growth of this competition.

"We look forward to working with RaboDirect as well as our existing sponsors - Rhino and Specsavers, with all 12 teams in the four countries, with the match officials and with all the media, so as to ensure that rugby supporters experience the very best of an ever-improving competition."

They needed a 27-point winning margin against Scotland. They got that and more. The Ireland Women's team captured their second Women's RBS 6 Nations title in style at Broadwood Stadium - relive their Championship winning day in our exclusive video.

It was nail-biting, nerve shredding and epic! Relive Ireland's RBS 6 Nations Championship day from the squad's arrival at Murrayfield to the trophy presentation in our exclusive tunnel and pitch cam video.

Larissa Muldoon, now a two-time Women's RBS 6 Nations winner, is part of an all-Donegal half-back pairing for the Ireland Women. She spoke to Irish Rugby TV about the developing clubs in her own county.

Ireland Women's lock Orla Fitzsimons describes how she was a supporter in the stands for the 2013 Grand Slam success, and now, two years on, she has a Women's RBS 6 Nations winners' medal around her neck.

Niamh Briggs had a day to remember as she captained the Ireland Women's team to RBS 6 Nations title glory. The Waterford star, who scored the first try in the 73-3 win over Scotland, spoke to Irish Rugby TV afterwards.

Paying tribute to the Ireland supporters at Murrayfield, RBS 6 Nations winner Luke Fitzgerald said: "Thanks a million to the fans from the all guys. They were fantastic. We really felt their support out there, they were the '16th man' and helped us get over the line."

Sean O'Brien scored two tries and produced a man-of-the-match performance as Ireland beat Scotland 40-10 to finish top of the table and retain the RBS 6 Nations title. He spoke to Irish Rugby TV afterwards.

Speaking to Irish Rugby TV after the trophy presentation, RBS 6 Nations winner Robbie Henshaw said: "Words can't describe it...just the whole atmosphere, everyone in the stadium, just the way it ended out. It was pretty intense, the heart was rushing."

Enjoying the post-match celebrations at Murrayfield, RBS 6 Nations winner Rory Best said: "It's been a bit of an emotional roller-coaster, the last hour. The crowd have been absolutely incredible. We're just delighted to give something back to them."